Great food, craft beer and a busy kitchen where you can make a real contribution.
We're recruiting an experienced, hands-on Sous Chef for a well-established and successful hospitality business in the coastal Northland town of Waipu.
With a loyal local following, a reputation for great food and craft beer, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, this popular dining destination has become a favourite with locals and visitors alike.
Known for its signature pizzas, the restaurant also offers a substantial à la carte menu, giving its kitchen team plenty of variety and the opportunity to showcase their cooking skills.
With a busy summer season and consistent local trade throughout the year, we're looking for a capable chef who enjoys the pace of a successful restaurant, takes pride in producing quality food and knows how to get the best out of a team.
The Opportunity
Working closely with the Head Chef, you'll play an important role in the day-to-day running of the kitchen, maintaining food standards, supporting the team and helping deliver a consistently great dining experience.
This is a hands-on position for someone who enjoys cooking, understands the demands of a busy service and has the confidence to take charge when required.
You'll be involved in:
Supporting the Head Chef with daily kitchen operations.
Leading busy services and keeping the kitchen team organised and focused.
Maintaining quality and consistency across a varied menu.
Assisting with ordering, stock management, food costing and waste control.
Training, mentoring and supporting other members of the kitchen team.
Maintaining high standards of food safety and kitchen hygiene.
Contributing practical ideas to improve food quality and operational efficiency.
About You
You could be an experienced Sous Chef looking for a fresh opportunity or a strong senior Chef de Partie ready to take the next step.
What matters most is your ability to cook well, lead confidently and work as part of a team.
Ideally, you'll bring:
Solid experience in a busy restaurant, gastropub or quality casual dining environment.
Strong all-round cooking skills and a genuine commitment to food quality.
The confidence to lead kitchen services and make sound decisions under pressure.
A good understanding of food costs, stock control and kitchen operations.
A practical, organised approach to your work.
Good communication skills and the ability to support others.
A positive, down-to-earth attitude and a willingness to get involved.
Previous pizza experience would be an advantage, but it's certainly not essential. We're more interested in finding a good chef with broad experience, the right attitude and a genuine appreciation for quality food.
What's on Offer?
Competitive hourly remuneration reflecting your experience and ability.
A key position within an established and successful hospitality business.
A varied menu and plenty of opportunity to use your cooking skills.
The chance to take responsibility and contribute your ideas.
A busy, hands-on working environment alongside an experienced Head Chef.
The opportunity to enjoy the lifestyle of coastal Northland.
For the right candidate relocating to the area, some initial, short-term accommodation assistance could be considered.
The position involves rostered evenings, weekends and most public holidays, with increased hours during the busy summer season.
Interested?
If you're an experienced chef who enjoys a busy kitchen, takes pride in producing great food and wants to become an important part of an established hospitality business, we'd like to hear from you.
Applicants must have permanent, unrestricted rights to work in New Zealand. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.